Chronological Order of Forgotten Worlds Books

The chronological order of the Forgotten Worlds books is the same as the publication order, with one exception. The only exception is The Dark Elf Trilogy preceding The Icewind Dale Trilogy.

R.A. Salvaore’s Forgotten Realms Series takes place in the universe of the same name belonging to the wildly popular Dungeons and Dragons franchise. Currently comprising thirty seven novels, the author has continued to write since his first release, The Crystal Shard, in 1988. The series has received critical acclaim, bringing enormous amounts of attention to the universe within which it is set and making it onto the New York Times Bestseller list many times. Despite not being part of a universe original to the author, the series’ primary protagonist, Drizzt Do’Urden, has become one of the most iconic characters of fantasy literature. Although not every book follows Drizzt, with many diverging to follow previously encountered characters on their individual adventures, the bulk of Salvatore’s writing still belongs to this character, and his saga continues to this day. Drizzt is a member of the Drow, or Dark Elven race, and in addition to being a master swordsman and an adventurous spirit, he is depicted as an individual that sticks to his deeply held moral values, even in the face of extreme adversity. In his first novel, Drizzt is rejected by the majority of Icewindale, the northern region in which he has chosen to make his home. Despite having few friends, he makes it his mission to operate on the fringes of civilization, dispatching any threats to the nearby Ten Towns that he encounters. Although he is eventually respected after saving them from a massive Barbarian invasion, it is still, for the most part, thankless work that he performs out of a sense of duty to others. In part one of the prequel trilogy to Salvatore’s first three books, Homeland, Drizzt is shown growing up among the society of his people in the subterranean city of Menzoberranzan. As cruel as they are beautiful, the Drow are infamous for their evil ways, and yet somehow Drizzt manages to avoid being corrupted by the depravity he encounters. Eventually, he strikes out on his own, reaching the surface and setting the stage for The Crystal Shard.

The Crystal Shard begins with the conflict between the barbarians of the tundra and the Ten Towns of Icewindale, who are perceived as invaders. Constantly patrolling the outskirts of the settlements, Drizzt catches wind of the impending attack, reporting this to one of his only true friends, Bruenor, the local Dwarven king. With this information, the towns are able to eventually band together, and with the assistance of Drizzt and the Dwarves, they repel the barbarians, slaughtering many and crushing their strength. The Drow ranger does battle with the barbarian king, Heafstaag, only managing to wound him, and after Bruenor knocks a young barbarian standard barer, Wulfgar, unconscious, he decides to take him in rather than allowing him to be executed.

The novel soon transitions to a separate conflict of far greater magnitude. After being left to die in the icy wasteland, Akar Kessel, an apprentice mage, encounters the ancient magical artifact Crenshinibon. Suddenly possessing immense power, Kessel creates an enormous army of Orcs, Trolls and Goblins over the course of five years, erecting a massive tower, known as Cryshal Tirith, from which to spread his influence. He also allies with the previously defeated Barbarian tribe, and an incredibly powerful demon, Errtu, who he makes his general. However, his plot to dominate the area is foiled by Drizzt and his companions, as Wulfgar duels Heafstaag and takes control of the Barbarians, while Drizzt defeats and banishes the demon Errtu. Eventually, Drizzt and Kessel fight a battle on the top of a mountain. Despite his power, Kessel dies after unleashing a spell that buries him under a massive avalanche, and Crenshinibon is buried, no longer able to access the sunlight that provides it with energy.

In Homeland, Drizzt is born to Daermon Na’shezbaernon, or “House Do’Urden,” one of the many noble houses inhabiting the city of Menzoberranzan. The houses are sorted into a hierarchy, with each one constantly vying for power against the others, and at his birth, they ranked tenth. Being the third son to his mother, the Matron Mother Malice, is was slated to be sacrificed to the Spider Goddess Lolth. However, at the same time, his brothers and the troops of the family were carrying out a plan to slaughter the ninth house and take their place. Fortunately for Drizzt, his oldest brother, Nalfein, was murdered by the jealous second son, Dinin, and as a result, the baby was allowed to survive. As he grows up, he shows incredible promise as a fighter, being the son of Zaknafein Do’Urden, the house’s weaponmaster and Patron. Zaknafein trains Drizzt, preparing him for the Melee-Magthere, the Drow warrior academy. Although at first his mother insists that he be sent to the mage academy instead, Zaknafein proves to her that he was born to be a fighter, and she relents.

Despite being the best student at the academy, Drizzt is unhappy, constantly encountering situations that conflict with his inner morality. Eventually, after graduating, he takes part in a surface raid against a clan of elves, who he had been conditioned to think were evil. However, after watching his comrades slaughter innocent families, he finally realizes the truth of the nature of his people, and he manages to save a young elven girl from death by hiding her under the corpse of her slain mother. Although none of the other Drow notice, the Goddess Lolth witnesses his transgression against her will, and House Do’Urden begins to fall out of her favor. Meanwhile, Zaknafein, who had long harbored ideals similar to Drizzt’s, was unaware that his son had not actually killed the child. Afraid that his son had been corrupted, the two fight, and Drizzt eventually reveals the truth. The two decide to leave Menzobarranzan together, but Malice, secretly observing the encounter, informs Zaknafein that she intends to sacrifice Drizzt in order to please Lolth. Just as she had intended, Zaknafein offers himself instead, and Malice kills him, hoping that Drizzt will begin to behave like other Drow. She reveals to him the death of his father, but instead of accepting her offer of becoming the new weaponmaster, he attacks them, escaping off into the under dark and beginning the chain of events that would eventually lead to him making his way to the surface.

All Gabriel Allon fans will be eagerly anticipating this one - your favourite spy is back in The New Girl, coming to bookshelves in mid-July. In this one, a girl is kidnapped from an exclusive private school in Switzerland and Gabriel Allon is brought on board to find her. More Details.

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if you are a fan of Jack Reacher you need to read the "Peter Ash" series by Nick Petrie. Endorsed by Lee Child himself, this is a fantastic book series and is the best recommendation I can give for any fans of Reacher. More details.

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If you’re a fan of standalone thrillers then be sure to read any of the standalones by Brad Parks. The guy is a master! I’ve read over 50 different authors of standalone thrillers in the last year and no-one stands out like Brad. More Details.

Did You Know…

Jack Reacher never needs a watch, as he always knows what time it is in his head. This has sometimes played both major and minor parts in many of the plots of the novels he features in.